Washington, D.C. – Archives, libraries, museums, and historic preservation organizations across America are setting aside May 1 to participate in MayDay, a national effort of the Heritage Emergency National Task Force to protect collections from disasters.

In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma provided a wake-up call. More recently, severe storms reminded us that disaster can strike with little warning. The Heritage Health Index, released soon after the hurricanes in December 2005, reported that few institutions are really prepared.

Let Heritage Preservation know what you do for MayDay this year by e-mailing taskforce@heritagepreservation.org. You’ll receive a free Working with Emergency Responders:Tips for Cultural Institutions poster. Heritage Preservation is offering its popular Field Guide to Emergency Response and Emergency Response and Salvage Wheel at special MayDay sale prices from April 15 to May 31.

You can make a difference—help save our heritage!

The Society of American Archivists (SAA) created the MayDay initiative in 2006 and promoted the idea to its members and allied organizations. Last year, the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, with SAA’s help, expanded the concept to include all kinds of collecting institutions and historic preservation interests.